Prime Minister Tillman Thomas announced yesterday, May 17th, that he had accepted Hood’s resignation. No reason was given for the sudden decision but in an address to the nation last night, Thomas said he will now assume that vacant portfolio.
It comes just two days after PM Thomas survived a vote of no confidence at the end of a marathon debate on the motion late Tuesday night, May 15th, in the House Of Representatives.
Most government parliamentarians voted along party lines depriving the main opposition new national party of the four votes needed for the motion to carry.
After a robust, 13-hour debate, the opposition motion was defeated eight votes to five with one abstention and one absentee.
Backbencher Michael Church was the only government mp to support the motion, which called for the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections.
PM Thomas said Thursday night that “the decision of the House of Representative is a clear manifestation that we are concerned about the preservation of our democratic institutions, our practices and the sustainability of the peace and stability of our land.”
Hood is the second senior minister to resign in less than a month, following the departure of tourism minister Peter David. Four ministers have either been fired or resigned since Thomas became prime minister in 2008.
PM Thomas, meanwhile, announced a national thanksgiving rally at the Grenville Car Park on Sunday, May 20th from 3 PM.
